Sammanfattning
Background Factors supporting continued community mobility for older adults warrant attention
due to the relationship between mobility, health, and social participation. Although community
mobility is typically considered from the perspective of individual functional abilities, care
partnerships represent a situation in which maintaining community mobility has implications for the
well-being of all members. Aim The aim of this research was to explore and describe strategies used
by older adult care partner dyads to support and maintain participation in community mobility.
Methods Ethnographic case studies of three care partner dyads were conducted using in-depth
interviews, participant observation, photographs, and reciprocal data analysis. An inductive, constant
comparative data analysis resulted in thematic descriptions of strategies employed by the care
partner dyads. Results Three strategies were identified in collaboration with care partners: (i) Acting
in accordance with the values of the relationship, (ii) Finding and using available assistive
technology and (iii) Relying on social networks. Conclusion and significance Strategies identified by
participants were more relational than procedural in nature, indicating the need for occupational
therapists working with care partner dyads to consider historical routines, social connectedness, and
needs of the care partnership in addition to functional abilities of the care recipient when addressing
community mobility.